INTRODUCTION - WE ARE LIVING IN A STRANGE AGE OF CONTRADICTION, AND IT IS FRUSTRATING TO YOUNG & OLD

• Man has the greatest power ever known, and yet is is at his weakest, unable to help himself
• The Gospel has a greater impact than ever before in history- yet less impact in USA
• The Book of Colossians gives us the solution to our frustration- Authority in Christ

The world is so starved for authority- it will turn to Anti-Christ- or Christ!

I. CHANGE FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE - Col 3:1-4

There is much that passes for life today that is just another way to death- be careful

A.   "IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST" v. 1a - This is the ultimate question to every soul

1. • This is the biggest little IF- not everyone who thinks they are saved really are! - Be sure
   • Have you personally accepted Christ's death as your own? -Reckon yourself dead with Christ
   • Have you personally accepted His resurrection as yours? -Crucified, yet I live- Christ-

B.  "SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE" - 1b - The new goal for your life and energy

1. Jesus said- "Seek 1st the Kingdom of God-"- Elwin Arner wrote beautiful letter on this-
2. If you know Christ- Seek experiences with Him- Spiritual goals & joys- Real trips
3. The Motive- If ye be risen/ the Action- Seek things above - Experiment with Jesus-

C.  "SET YOUR AFFECTIONS ON THINGS ABOVE" - v2 And you can control your affections, or be a fool

1.  A moment's glance, passing fancy, sparked crush, you let flash into your heart- watch it!
2. Much of what we have an infatuation with is of this world- but we can control this!
3. Learn to love the things that are lasting joys- Love the Lord, Word, Family, Work, good things

If you are going to enjoy real life then choose things that strengthen & compliment it

II.  GET RID OF THE DEAD BODY - Col 3:5-11

You cannot bury your enemy until it is dead, so Mortify it!  Get it out of the way!

A.  GOD IS NOT COURTEOUS TO SIN - HE HATES IT! - GOD IS NOT SOPHISTICATED (not an expert in lying)

1. Jesus railed against the hypocrites of His day; forgave sinners but said go & sin no more
2. Anyone can say yes- to the carnal appetites! It takes a real man to say NO!  Good sense, too
3. If you saw a scorpion or snake in your baby's crib-you would mortify it!  So?  Your bed?

B.  GOD LISTS THE THINGS WE ARE TO STRANGLE - MORTIFY - CHOKE TO DEATH

1. Fornication - 3fold adultery
2. Uncleanness - body, soul, mouth
3. Inordinate Affection - lustful passion
4. Evil - loving all sin
5. Covetous - Idolatry
6. Anger - Wrath - evil
7. Blasphemy - Slang is a form
8. Filthy communication - unclean jokes
9. Lie not - so little, so common -

C.  BURY THE OLD MAN WITH ALL HIS DEEDS - 9b

1. The old man with all his deeds is deadly, cannot be trusted, will enslave you to Satan
2. This is the basic error of humanism, and the world- man is NOT innately good! he is evil.
3. Unless that evil is strongly controlled- Authority- it will destroy us

Most of the world is looking for a man who will be authority to control evil - Satan or Christ

III. DRESS UP THE NEW MAN - Col 3:12-16

When you are saved, and born again- you have a new nature- dress it up, make it well

A.  GOD HAS PROVIDED YOU WITH A MILLION DOLLAR WARDROBE, WHY DON'T YOU WEAR IT?

1. Bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing
2. Forgiving, not quarreling against others, No finer jeweled wardrobe anywhere
3. Above all- v14-The top coat of love! - an ermine maxicoat- the bond of perfectness! YOURS

B.  WE ARE TO BE RULED WITH THE PEACE OF GOD - v.15 - THE AUTHORITY TO RULE EVERY ACTION!

1. This is borrowed from the Olympic games - Peace, a ruling power! Olive wreath-
2. With the great struggle against evil- you need peace as a compass; make sure it is caged!
3. Can you be thankful about being called into one body with-?? only if peace rules you!

C.  WE ARE TO LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN US RICHLY (POCKET FULL OF MONEY) v.16

1. Let the Word dwell, soak into your heart, it will teach, admonish, richly! like gravy
2. Look at the fun- singing with grace in your heart! Singing to the Lord! Music is important!
3. Doing things in the name of the Lord- See list- v.18-23

Let this newly dressed up- new man- step out in the world & show that he is a prince

CONCLUSION - IF YOU WANT REAL POWER IN YOUR LIFE LIVE IT" IN HIS NAME" v.17